Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan Approves Law on Fire Safety

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — At its latest session, the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan reviewed in the second reading a draft law aimed at improving the fire safety system, with each article discussed in detail.

Uzbekistan continues implementing comprehensive measures to create a unified fire safety system focused on fire prevention, strengthening state control, and reliably protecting the lives, health, and property of citizens and legal entities.

Current legislation does not fully provide the necessary legal and organizational framework and does not establish accountability for certain violations, highlighting the need to improve the regulatory base.

The draft law proposes amendments to the Law on Fire Safety, the Code of Administrative Liability, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Criminal Code. It introduces technical requirements based on building categories, including prohibitions on the use of combustible construction materials.

A system for damage reimbursement is established alongside compensation for losses caused by fires.

The law also defines procedures for auditing buildings for compliance with fire safety requirements, strengthens liability for officials, and clarifies the rights and responsibilities of design and construction organizations, as well as apartment management bodies.

The scope of citizen obligations is expanded. Owners of markets, shopping complexes, and entertainment centers now bear civil responsibility for harm to third parties in the event of a fire and are required to insure their properties against fire risks.

During preparation for the second reading, the committee incorporated deputies’ suggestions, removing provisions contrary to public interests, clarifying powers of local and executive authorities, and improving mandatory property insurance rules.

Deputies emphasized that the adoption of the law by the Legislative Chamber will increase the effectiveness of fire prevention, strengthen responsibility among citizens and organizations, expand private sector involvement, and ensure guaranteed compensation for fire-related damage.

Following discussion, the draft law was approved by the Legislative Chamber and sent to the Senate for further consideration.